In the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed the lives of 26 individuals, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Wednesday initiated a protest campaign in Mumbai, calling for a statewide ban on the sale of Pakistani products across Maharashtra.
The protest was visibly active in several prominent markets across the city, where BJP members visited local shops and urged business owners to discontinue the sale of products imported from Pakistan — with a particular focus on food items such as spices and masalas.
Protesters distributed written appeals to shopkeepers, encouraging them to remove Pakistani goods from their shelves as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims of the recent terror attack.
In addition to engaging with vendors, BJP workers submitted formal complaints to the local police authorities, pressing for stringent measures against shops that continue to sell Pakistani-origin items.
“This protest is more than just a demonstration — it’s a campaign aimed at dismantling the economic lifeline of a nation that persistently harbors and supports terrorism against India,” said a BJP worker while speaking to Indian News Media.
He emphasized, “While our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the will and capacity to combat our adversaries militarily, the people of India must also contribute in their own way. Boycotting Pakistani products — especially consumer goods like spices that still find shelf space in Mumbai’s markets — is a powerful civilian response.”
The BJP worker further praised those shopkeepers who have voluntarily begun removing such products, citing their actions as an example of genuine patriotism.
“We salute shopkeepers like Aslam Bhai Sheikh, who, despite the financial setbacks involved, chose to return high-margin Pakistani goods to the distributors. This kind of commitment reflects the spirit of a true Indian,” he added.
Mohammed Aslam Sheikh, a shopkeeper in Mumbai, confirmed that he had actively participated in the campaign by returning Pakistani goods from his store inventory.
“I returned around 70 to 80 packets of Pakistani-manufactured spices. What happened in Pahalgam is beyond tolerable. As Indian citizens, we cannot allow our commerce to benefit a nation that gives shelter to terrorists,” said Sheikh.
According to BJP workers, this campaign is only in its initial phase. Plans are already underway to expand the movement beyond Mumbai to other cities and districts in Maharashtra.
“This is only the beginning. Currently, we are creating awareness at the shopkeeper level. Our next step is to engage directly with distributors. Not a single Pakistani product should remain on Indian shelves — not when that nation continues its attempts to destabilize our country,” the BJP worker concluded.
